New-York tribune. [volume] (New York [N.Y.]) 1866-1924, 1887-04-26
MIR. ASTOR ON RAPID TRANSIT.
HE COULDN'T HELP WRITING "vALEN-
TINO"
STEPHEN II. TYING AT ALBANY-JoHN. PLATTs
PROJECT.

STEPHEN H. TYING AT ALBANY-JoHN. PLATr
BRIDGE PROJECT.
rtRoM THE REGULAR CORRESPONDENT TRIBUNEs
ALBANY April 25-Among the visitors here last week
in attendance the memorial service in honor OF General
Arthur William Waldorf Aston who. was appointed
Minister Italy by the late President friend said to
him before the services began: have been reading
your novel Valentino and much pleased with it,
"Thank you" Mr.. Astor replied and then said: One
could hardly avoid writing novel in ITALY, at least in
Rome The mental atmosphere OF the place is filled with
historical figures Besides there Is very little to do at
the American legation and desired TO be hard at work
upon something The writing OF the book i'll such place
pleasure"
He then inquired about the prospects OF the bill before
the Legislature for the erection of elevated railroad in
Broadway An acquaintance said to him. IL seems as
If the city might well grant financial aid TO some one OF
the several corporations formed to construct an under
ground railroad Surely the city ought If possible 10
drain off population from the overcrowded tenement
house districts"
YES" said Mr. Astor. but the chief difficulty about
that would be the route Of such road In fact three or
four roads are needed take in and ont of
Newly York the men and women that would thus travel
from the suburbs il such roads in existence The
best rapid transit road probably that could he built
would he viaduct That would give light and air TO the
passengers andet trains could be run rapidly upon IT,
But of course il would be very expensive
For several avs mand has sat in the gallery OF the
Senate Chamber when the Senate has been III session
whose face is familiar to all NEWCOMERS Yet why
should he be in Albany The face is that of stephen H.
Tying, formerly prominent Protestant Episcopal minis
ter of NewYOrk who 'resignng his position went TO
Paris and lived there for several years Ills presence
In Albany is said to he due to desire of his to he APP
pointed NewYors representative at the american TX
hibition shortly TO he opened in London Governor Hill
has the appointment
Assemblynan John I. Plat may he said 10 have the
Poughkeepsia bridge the brain just AZ present.
This is hut natural however in view OF the many years
he has champi0ned the enterprise lie IS trustee OF the
bridge company aud intimately acquainted with all Us
financial operations This winter in the Legislature MS
main work has been 10 prevent the repeal OF the com
panys charter and obtain the passage of an act extend
ing the time the completion of the great structure
Mr. Plat has had many tusse with the canal boatne
feared that the canal tcws, composed OF Ten
or twelve canal-boats, tOwed by tug, would ma IL
difficult pass the bridge -
think have convinced the members OF the Leglsla-
ture" said Mr. Plat Il few days ago. that Inc bfldsc
will not impede navigation in the least Few DAYS ago
had a miniature bridge of paper built, and showed
that two canal lows the Great Eastern ana the Albany
might all be passing between the piers at the same time
and they would interfere with another just as
soon as the weather gets settled mean to take all inc
members OF the Legislature down Ia Ponghkeepsie on
steamboat aud show them the bridge and the canal
floating between the piers